Guardians of the skin galaxy
Scientists discover a new breed of life-long immune warriors
Immune cells in the skin are tasked with protecting about 22 square feet (the area contained within a standard doorway) against nasty environmental invaders like viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Now, researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) have discovered a new player in this powerful army that starts fighting battles as soon as you’re born.
T cells are a type of white blood cell that get their name as they mature in an immune organ called the thymus gland.
There are a handful of different specialized T cells that are involved in recognizing and attacking foreign substances, such as viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells, as well as in regulating the immune response.
Na Xiong, PhD, professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics recently published the team’s findings on a variety of skin T cells that are critical for defending newborn babies against a whole new world of pathogens, but that also engender life-long immune fortification.
“These T cells home in on the skin like a guided missile,” explained Xiong.
“They have a different homing property than other T cells. We identified the mechanism through which this…
